Montréal vs. Toronto
Who Wins?
Another summer is heading to the hills… That means that winter is coming to Montreal and many of my friends in England, Australia and anywhere else where the sun will keep shining past five in the evening wonder why I am still here. Why put up with the cold, the ice you don’t always see until it is under your back, the loss of mobility and the unending snow?
Good questions, but let me point out that I live in Montreal, a city that knows that it will get cold and knows how to live with it. Other Canadian cities try and hardly succeed the way this fair island does. So, I will stay and love whatever comes with the later months of the year.
Maybe that is not enough. Maybe you are still asking yourself why I do not move to another Canadian city; a city that has developed an international reputation and an economic environment that is friendlier to someone with very pre-intermediate French skills. And I guess that city would be Toronto, right? Why not? It has everything that we are supposed to expect from a large metropolis and it is not nearly as cold as Montreal.
Now, the analysis that I am creating here allows me to avoid making some of the obvious comparisons between the two towns that I am expected to make, like comparing Toronto to Montreal is like comparing Los Angeles to New York (that one I do not mind); like comparing apples to applesauce (a bit weak); or finally the Police with Sting solo on an album playing a lute (draw your own conclusions about that one). But there is one comparison I think I can get away with, if I explain everything carefully.
Imagine that you are a man who has just arrived in a new town and you are in a local bar. There are two women in the joint who are quite different from each other. The first woman is wearing a very expensive dress, a new well-coiffed head of hair, and all the jewelry, make-up and lipstick that anyone would want in one round. Everything is pushed or pulled into place to make the package an inviting one.
You pay a lot of attention to this woman. You like what you see. But you may finally notice that this woman is trying too hard to grab any attention she can find (she needs validation). She fulfills every desperate and grasping stereotype of a woman on the make who is trying to overcompensate for something missing in her life.
The second woman is attractive without trying too hard to be so. She is also friendly if she wants to be, not if she has to be, and never just to get a man interested. She knows why you are there and may even end up buying you a drink. She will speak any language she chooses, is not too dressed up or worried about her hair, and will often be with a friend (if it is a boyfriend, her body language and general attitude will let you know as much). There is no pressure to take her home, or even get her phone number (and it does not matter because just being there has made your night). And if she really does not want to talk to you, someone else will soon be along who definitely will want to hear what you have to say.
Now, which woman do you think represents Toronto, and which one represents Montreal?
*
Thank you for reading!
If you liked this, you can add your Insights, Comment, leave a Heart, Tip, Pledge, or Subscribe. I will appreciate any support you have shown for my work.
You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.
Give it a look...
About the Creator
Kendall Defoe
Teacher, reader, writer, dreamer... I am a college instructor who cannot stop letting his thoughts end up on the page.
And I did this: Buy Me A Coffee... And I did this:
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Keep reading
More stories from Kendall Defoe and writers in Wander and other communities.
A Trip to England (Part III)
There are moments in your life that cloud things; that make things seem so difficult to comprehend that you just do not deal with them in a way that would seem proper. I was given that photograph of my half-sister and kept it hidden in a drawer from any curious eyes in my house. I did not mention it or even hint at it until my mother confessed that she knew all about her and we both realized that two lies were living in the same house. As I think about that scene between us, I realize that I would not believe it if I had heard about it from a friend (not even the film studios of Hollywood could have imagined such things). But it was too real and made me more aware of what was true and what was imaginary. I paid more attention to the racist graffiti I saw on an embankment wall as we travelled to a cricket match (contrasted with a wheat field that appeared like liquid gold, it was startling to see an attitude so honest). I noted that fruit sold in the markets came from South Africa. This was during apartheid and I made a point of buying a t-shirt that recommended that one Boycott South African Goods. I then looked carefully around that neighbourhood. Cramped homes, grey weather, narrow and mugger-friendly lanes and walls, appalling programs on TV (comedy specials seemed to have to volume of the audience turned way up for the weakest jokes) and I have already commented on the food.
By Kendall Defoe 2 years ago in Wander
The Starlight Wanderer: A Tale of Magic and Morals
Once upon a time in a quaint village nestled between rolling hills and whispering streams lived a young girl named Elara. Elara had always been fascinated by the stars that adorned the night sky like shimmering jewels. Every evening, she would climb to the top of the tallest hill just outside the village to watch the stars dance across the heavens as she always watched them in her dreams.
By Solomon Odipo4 days ago in Wander
Comments (21)
Fascinating. I for sure feel that so many cities would improve vastly if they were more pedestrian-friendly, like so many cities in Europe. Folks are so afraid to part with their cars, but life becomes so much more social and fun when the cars aren't the center of city-planning life. Great story!
Happy belated Top Story! You got the wheels a turning with this one.
First off, Toronto is 5 hours south so, you can’t expect balmy weather but it is a little better than Montreal. I haven’t been on a dating seen for many years or in Montreal but I would guess the woman trying hard to grab your attention is from T..O..??? And for the winters in Canada, I was in my 30s before it dawned on me to dress properly, now I love it…bring it on.
I love both places
Something to ponder
Is this a trick question? Montreal is actually the friendly bartender who keeps you wanting to come back for more. It's "Cheers" if that hadn't been set in Boston.
Fair enough. I liked both places, and prefer not to say which one I like better. I will say this though, one really has a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’
This was great Kendall!! Calgary is one of those ill prepared cities when winter comes and it's not great! I've never been to Montreal or Toronto but you make it sound interesting! I love the insights you shared and they way you compared them to each other! Great work and congrats on Top Story!!
Lesser known fact about me - I lived in Montreal for almost three years. Visited Toronto and liked both but preferred Montreal. Many happy memories made there. And I loved the winters. You have to embrace them.
Where do the Videodrome signals originate from? I can't believe it's Pittsburgh. I've heard you have such a lovely Cathode Ray Mission in Montreal. Love and napalm.
Take me to Yorkville Street — Such an interesting Toronto Treasure — ‘j’
As a transplanted Torontonian, I can agree that there's definitely a air of arrogance, especially downtown. There are also a lot of great, down to earth people. I can't really speak of Montreal, as the only time I've spent there was passing through on a road trip back home to Newfoundland. Well done and congrats on the TS.
One word: Vancouver! Okay, I'm from there & I love the ocean, the mountains & the weather: yes, I like rain! Anyway, I also like your story & Montreal, yet I live in Toronto (I make her wipe the pancake & lipstick off). Congrats on TS!
Loved it!!! Congratulations on Top Story too!°💕❤️❤️
Good Job!
Very creative and powerful Kendall. Well done! Congratulations on your Top Story
The second woman is Montreal and the first one is Toronto? I may be wrong but I really loved your analogy!
Wow I never put this idea in my mind. I’ve only ever lived in one city and don’t want to move only because I’d have to start over. Like you I live in a Canadian city that embraces the cold- Edmonton.
I'm pretty well-traveled for an American, which makes me equivalent to a hermit compared to the rest of the world but I digress, and I believe that Montreal is the best city in North America.
I haven't had the pleasure of visiting either city. My only trip to Canada so far has been to haul a U-Haul truckload of household belongings to an ex-neighbor, who had been deported, to Blackie, AB. (There's a story there, alright.) It was a pleasant trip and everyone we dealt with was a shining example of Canadians' reputation for being just downright nice. Especially the border guards. All of that "TMI" aside, I really appreciated your analogy, and this reminded me of the questions I get from people about why we're returning to Wyoming.
"Montreal's unique character and ability to embrace the cold are well-captured in your words. It's a city with a spirit like no other. ❄️🏙️"